Eating before a commute
09-01-10 | 02:35 PM
#26
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
i'm kinda surprised by all the people who say they feel queasy if they eat before they ride. maybe it's because i've got a 15 mile ride each morning, but if i don't get some food into my belly beforehand, i feel like i'm running out of gas. now, that's not to say that i would try to stuff a 1,200 calorie meal of eggs and bacon and sausage and waffles and toast and pancakes and muffins and whatnot into my belly beforehand, but a couple of hard-boiled eggs for protein and a banana for some carb energy and other vital nutrients seems to suit me really well on my ride, and i never ever feel queasy from it.
09-01-10 | 02:51 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: Fishers, In
Bikes: 2010 Surly Long Haul Trucker - Blue Velvet
I've found I gain 2 miles per hour average on my commute to work if I have something before leaving. As I said earlier, for me that usually means a banana, or a Cliff bar, and some water.
09-01-10 | 03:09 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Jamis Sputnik
I can't eat before I ride. My stomach feels full and I end up being uncomfortable. I usually just get on a ride, then eat a real breakfast when I get to work. If I feel tired, I might eat an energy gel, or a box of raisins, but usually my energy level is fine. My ride's 13 miles one way. I do eat dinner kinda late, so maybe that helps in the mornings.
09-01-10 | 04:41 PM
#29
Bike addict, dreamer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,165
Likes: 1
From: Queens, New York
So I just have a small snack for dinner, that's why I need to eat in the morning. And yeah, I gain weight if eat before sleeping.
09-01-10 | 05:11 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 145
From: Long Island, NY
Jeez, I would die if I ate as little food as some of you people. I usually eat 2-3 poached eggs, some form of meat (usually turkey breast, venison , or fish), a bowlful of mixed fruit, a couple of bananas, and a veggie of some sort (carrots, turnips, or broccoli). I get on the bike immediately after eating and normally ride 20 miles...it has never bothered me. I normally am starving again by 10am and have a few handfuls of dried fruit and walnuts or pecans for a mid morning snack.
09-01-10 | 05:29 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: PNW
As you can see there are many variations on a theme!
I used to be afraid to eat before a ride because I would ride so hard I'd get close to barfing.
On a bike tour, though, I discovered I could eat anything anytime. Even huge meals. It just means taking it easier on the ride after eating. A huge meal and hammering out 20 miles is a recipe for blowing chunks.
Now I find a happy medium works. LIGHT breakfast, ride fast, eat snacks at work, big lunch, ride faster home.
I used to be afraid to eat before a ride because I would ride so hard I'd get close to barfing.
On a bike tour, though, I discovered I could eat anything anytime. Even huge meals. It just means taking it easier on the ride after eating. A huge meal and hammering out 20 miles is a recipe for blowing chunks.
Now I find a happy medium works. LIGHT breakfast, ride fast, eat snacks at work, big lunch, ride faster home.
09-01-10 | 06:03 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Jamis Sputnik
Jeez, I would die if I ate as little food as some of you people. I usually eat 2-3 poached eggs, some form of meat (usually turkey breast, venison , or fish), a bowlful of mixed fruit, a couple of bananas, and a veggie of some sort (carrots, turnips, or broccoli). I get on the bike immediately after eating and normally ride 20 miles...it has never bothered me. I normally am starving again by 10am and have a few handfuls of dried fruit and walnuts or pecans for a mid morning snack.
09-01-10 | 06:07 PM
#33
Ridin' South Cackalacky
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 2
Hi All,
I've been lurking for a while but this my first post.
It's been a long dream of mine to commute to work by bike, but I've always thought of it as kind of impossible. Finally tiring of making excuses and waiting to live/work in a area that makes it a no-brainer,I've decided to make the best of what I have and just give it a shot.
I've mapped out a route that keeps me off main thoroughfares sticking mostly to nice country roads. It's less direct, but not unrealistic for me (20 miles) and I'll just have to be extra cautious in some places. I think with reasonable planning I can make it work, at least this first time. Who knows, if it works out, maybe it could even be a regular thing.
Fortunately, since I live in the city, and my office is outside it, I will most likely be moving opposite most traffic anyway. And my thinking is that if I leave at a good early time, I will have less traffic to deal with, and less pressure for me to get to the office on time.
My question to you all is: what do you do about breakfast? Since I want to leave pretty early, and will take a shower once I get there, I don't see a whole lot of time in the morning for me to eat and digest a meal. Do you guys just eat afterwards, and not worry about running low on energy along the way? Do you just do something minimal?
skandl
*
I've been lurking for a while but this my first post.
It's been a long dream of mine to commute to work by bike, but I've always thought of it as kind of impossible. Finally tiring of making excuses and waiting to live/work in a area that makes it a no-brainer,I've decided to make the best of what I have and just give it a shot.
I've mapped out a route that keeps me off main thoroughfares sticking mostly to nice country roads. It's less direct, but not unrealistic for me (20 miles) and I'll just have to be extra cautious in some places. I think with reasonable planning I can make it work, at least this first time. Who knows, if it works out, maybe it could even be a regular thing.
Fortunately, since I live in the city, and my office is outside it, I will most likely be moving opposite most traffic anyway. And my thinking is that if I leave at a good early time, I will have less traffic to deal with, and less pressure for me to get to the office on time.
My question to you all is: what do you do about breakfast? Since I want to leave pretty early, and will take a shower once I get there, I don't see a whole lot of time in the morning for me to eat and digest a meal. Do you guys just eat afterwards, and not worry about running low on energy along the way? Do you just do something minimal?
skandl
*
Whole wheat toast and peanut butter is good, too.
09-01-10 | 06:20 PM
#34
pedalphile
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
From: ellington, ct
Bikes: trek 1200, 520, Giant ATX 970, Raleigh Talon
i sometimes eat a piece of fruit or bagel before my 12+ mile ride in. always drink at least a full glass of water. sometimes i eat nothing and have no issues.
20 miles is starting to get to the distance where you might wanna have something in the tank before starting. not saying you are gonna crash at mile 19, probably not. i once went on a little joy ride that ended up being thirty miles. i didn't eat before leaving as i didn't expect it to be that long and i crashed...hard at about 26-27 miles. i was seriously out of gas and regretting not eating. the fairly big hill right before my house was no fun that day.
20 miles is starting to get to the distance where you might wanna have something in the tank before starting. not saying you are gonna crash at mile 19, probably not. i once went on a little joy ride that ended up being thirty miles. i didn't eat before leaving as i didn't expect it to be that long and i crashed...hard at about 26-27 miles. i was seriously out of gas and regretting not eating. the fairly big hill right before my house was no fun that day.
09-01-10 | 08:08 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Pittsfield, MA
Bikes: Motobecane Fantom Cross 2008 Schwinn Super Sport 1972 SS. Surly Pacer Rando bike
I usually eat a yogurt with some granola on it to keep it crunchy. When I get to work I'll have a clif bar or a bagel. That holds me until lunch. After work, I eat another snack and then head for home.
09-01-10 | 08:43 PM
#36
I am a caffine girl
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
I don't dare eat before I ride. I have found myself in need of a restroom with no one in sight for several miles at 4:30 am. Instead, I take a small sip of strong coffee and that usually will get rid of any hunger for an hour. When I reach my destination, we have those catering trucks, roach coaches as some of ya will call them. I then let my hunger tell me what and how much I should eat at that time.
09-01-10 | 08:54 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 3
From: Stephenville TX
Bikes: 2010 Trek 7100
09-01-10 | 09:56 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
I try not to fill up but also hate exercising when feeling weak. For 11 miles, I always have two granola bars while still in bed, not the big nutty ones but the thinner Quaker chewy kind, then snooze for about half an hour before heading out. Feel great when I arrive.
09-02-10 | 12:32 AM
#40
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville, VA
wow, thanks for all the replies. I know I'll be testing and tweaking my method as I go, but hearing all the different personal takes on it is still helpful.
mrleft2000, that's hilarious. I may have to incorporate granola bars into my snooze routine too.
mrleft2000, that's hilarious. I may have to incorporate granola bars into my snooze routine too.
09-02-10 | 01:38 AM
#41
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
I like something light--a slice of sprouted grain bread toasted with a bit of peanut butter and a big glass of water. I can't go on empty, but I feel sick if I eat too much too soon. I can pack more food with me to eat when I arrive at my destination, usually a banana or apple. I tend to take an early lunch so my body has had time to digest and replenish for the ride home. I do about 20 miles round trip over rolling hills.
09-02-10 | 02:27 AM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Potashville
Bikes: Reynolds 531P road bike, Rocky Mountain Metropolis, Rocky Mountain Sherpa 10, Look 566
I just have breakfast as normal. Hot cooked foods if I'm just going straight to work, a bowl of muesli/granola type cereal if I'm doing the longer route to swim first. Coffee always - it's as important as air. 
Twenty miles is a long commute, but with a mid-morning snack you shouldn't have a problem.
Twenty miles is a long commute, but with a mid-morning snack you shouldn't have a problem.
09-02-10 | 05:51 AM
#45
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 0
From: Erie, PA
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others
I don't eat quite that much.. but I think I eat more than most people here are describing. I had been reading wondering if I eat *way* too much until you said something. Granted, I'm a little heavier than I should be.. but a lot lighter than I used to be.
09-02-10 | 07:44 AM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 145
From: Long Island, NY
I have always been a big eater....I can easily each 2-3 times the amount of food during any meal than people I am eating with, and still finish first. However, I probably eat more in the morning than I do in the afternoon and evening. I don't have a weight problem, but because I have a huge appetite I watch what I eat very carefully. I minimize, but do not completely abstain from, cooking oils, cereal grains (including cereal grain-fed animals), salt, corn syrup, refined sugar, dairy, canned and pre-packaged foods. I eat lots of lean meat, game meat, wild fish, fruits, nuts, honey, and vegetables. I can't image going on a long hard morning ride without eating first. The empty stomach would make me ill.
Last edited by mihlbach; 09-02-10 at 07:52 AM.
09-03-10 | 07:25 AM
#47
Two Wheeled Truth Seeker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Papillion, NE
Bikes: 2008 Specialized Crossroads Sport
I like my bowl of steel-cut oatmeal, a handful of berries or banana, and coffee. I find this and my commute really help me "get going" once I get to the office (double meaning intended)... of course, I only have a four mile ride... not sure I'd want that kind of 'pressure' at the end of a longer one. 
09-04-10 | 10:10 AM
#49
curmudgineer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 113
From: Chicago SW burbs
Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here
If you're in good shape, you shouldn't need to eat much of anything before your ride. My commute is 13 miles/40-45min in the morning. All I have before riding is a small glass of juice and a coffee, and these not because I need to, I just enjoy having a juice & coffee while I'm getting ready.
09-04-10 | 12:28 PM
#50
Six feet please
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Bikes: Specialized rockhopper, Ross gran tour
I eat a lot and am all about the tastebuds. I like to eat really thick yoghurt topped with a lot of granola (oats, wheat, nuts, dried fruit) in the morning, I used to have a nature valley bar with that till I was told that the wrappers aren't recyclable. I've gotten into the hand-held food thing so I'm now baking all kinds of muffins every week (favorite is banana) and eating one in the morning then packing two for energy later in the day. I used to bake oatmeal and raisin cookies too but the amount of sugar and fat that goes into them makes me doubt their nutritional value. Also small handheld pies are awesome to eat on the go, you can bake anything inside them and the crust is all the carbs you need. Anything that fits in your hand but can't be popped right in your mouth is a good measure of a serving. I'm not really a big guy but I feel weird when I haven't eaten something tasty in a few hours. Food doesn't really affect my riding much but I definitely feel it when I run, I ate a meatball marinara right before riding across town last night and I was fine.